South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 12 September 1942
Payment of Fuel Officer
Conisbrough Council Discussion
“This work is done out of business hours and from a humane point of view, this Council, composed mostly of Labour representatives cannot tolerate a system of that kind” declared Coun. M. P. Knowles at Wednesday’s Conisbrough Urban Council meeting. Coun. R. H. Shepherd presided
Coun. Knowles was speaking on a minute of the Finance Committee, which states “The Clerk reported that the Assistant Divisional Coal of the Mines’ Department had sanctioned payment at the rate of £52 per annum, with effect from April 1st. 1942, to Mr. R. J. Troughton in connection with fuel duties.
Coun. J. T. E. Collins asked if the amount mentioned In the minute was the usual amount paid for that class of work.
Mr. R. W. Birch (Clerk): It varies a good deal according to the locality. The amount suggested has been approved by the Ministry of Fuel and Power.
Coun. Collins: How does it compare with a similar locality in the West Riding?
Mr Birch: I am not in a position to say.
Coun F Kelsall did not think the work could be done in the Council’s time.
Coun. D. Sheldon, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said the minute was carrying out the wishes of the Committee and the Council. If members wished to augment the salary there was nothing to stop them making inquiries from other authorities.
Mr. Troughton, in answer to a member’s question, said 99 per cent. of the work was done at night. He was, however, satisfied with the remuneration.
Court Knowles said the Council could not tolerate a system of that sort.
The Chairman: What would have happened if all the forms had been sent in. I understand a great number of forms have not sent in.
Court. T. Shephard said the Council could accept the minute and apply for larger remuneration.
Coun. Sheldon: We do things at one meeting and then forget them two meetings afterwards. Mr. made the same statement at that meeting three months ago, and still the Council agreed to £52 per annum.
Coun. Knowles said no one then thought it would be a permanent and that the work would increase. The Council must not overwork its officials.
Coun G. Cheshire said he brought it the notice of the Finance Committee that it was a full-time job.
Court. A. M Carlin’s motion that the matter be referred to the next meeting and in the meantime information be obtained from other authorities, was carried.
Drastic, But Effective.
The question of vermin in Council houses was raised by Coun. Knowles, who said one woman had been turned out of her house for four days while it was stoved. The woman had a legal complaint against the Council for disturbance. He asked what the councillors’ reaction would have been if they were in the same position.
The Surveyor (Mr. H. Thirlwall) said the complaint came from the woman herself who moved out of the house voluntarily, and the staving was done with her consent. They were adopting a process whereby not only the vermin but their eggs were exterminated. If they attempted to do one house by that process the people next door would be over-run with vermin. The process was very drastic, but it did effect a cure
Court. Carlin: If Coun. Knowles had lived next door he would have certainly wanted to get out. It that woman had stayed in the house it would have been over-run. At Monday’s meeting of the Housing and Town Planning Committee the Surveyor was given power to move people out of the house, so they could be stoved, and that in future people would not be allowed to take anything out of the house.
A minute of the Sanitary and Highways Committee which was approved, stated: The Medical Officer reported that a communication had been received from the County Medical Officer of Health that the treatment of scabies will commence on Monday. Sept. 14th, at Conisbrough First Aid Post and the days and times of the sessions fixed for Mondays and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. The staff at the First Aid Post had volunteered to give the necessary treatment, and two nurses would be attending to give preliminary instruction.